We know. You’ve likely thought of it too, so we asked for you- and here’s the answer we got.
It’s one to be calling the legal experts on, but it would seem that Mark MacKenzie’s decision to “self-suspend” his activities as Mayor of McNab-Braeside will not impact his role as the Township’s representative at the County of Renfrew.
Chief Administrative Officer and Clerk with the Upper Tier, Craig Kelly, responds to our query, “The current statement of McNab/Braeside’s mayor with his council – to “not do” mayoral things – does not impact his ability to attend County Council meetings. He remains a County Council member and is able to participate.”
MacKenzie’s decision to stand aside from Mayoral duties is not bound by a three-meeting absence rule locally (as the matter is not discussed within Ontario’s Municipal Act), but would apply should the member not be present for three consecutive sessions as County Councillor for the Upper Tier jurisdiction.
Inter-personal nuances that arise in local circumstances have no formal bearing on a representative’s performance at the Upper Tier- as also witnessed by County Warden Peter Emon’s recent functions or activities as Reeve within the Town of Renfrew.
By Rick Stow
